Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 1891. The Borough.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 9 April 1891, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 1891. The Borough.

Ratepayers must find the published estimates for the present year pleasant reading. To find a local body with a credit balance at the end of the financial year, is, as yet, rather astonishing; but it is no more than it should be. After the " scattercash " policy, it is extremely satisfactory to find a return to prudent and economical administration. When this Borough was formed, the promoters were asked how they were going to pay their way. However, ever since, there has been a marked increase in the receipts and a corresponding diminuition of liabilities, till the account stands as it does. Every Councillor has contributed to this end, and we again fervently trust that the like caution will be continued to be exercised. There may be a slight feeling that the Council at its last meeting was carried away by the satisfactory statement, and rushed into too great generosity. Those of the Councillors who have watched the services rendered by the Town Clerk, were very emphatic in stating that he was entitled to a rise in his salary, and we believe the ratepayers generally will endorse their action. It is refreshing to notice how well the revenue has been collected, and the punctual payers are entitled to expect that others should be called on to pay up promptly. The prompt collection of revenue permits road work being attended to at proper seasons, and avoids the expensive necessity of resorting to the banks for an overdraft. Since the present Clerk has held office the revenue has increased £300, and though the actual book keeping may not have been much increased, yet the other work has, owing to there having been a much larger sum for expenditure. The salary after all is not a large one, and the increase has the endorsement of the full approval of the Council.